RFID Active/Passive Tag Identifying Failed Sub-CRU and Location within Higher Level CRU

Abstract

A radio frequency identifier (RFID) active / passive tag is provided to identify failed sub-CRU and location within a higher level CRU. When an error occurs on the base blade or within one of the sub-CRUs, the embedded processor writes failure information to the RFID. RFID tags may also contain data identifying the locations, of the sub-CRUs of the blade. Thus, when there is a failure, the RFID may report the failed component as well as the location of a failed sub-CRU. Sub-CRUs may also include an embedded processor and RFID tag. When a service action is initiated to repair or replace a blade, the RFID tag may be read by a RFID reader. The RFID reader device may then present failure information, including the identification of the failed sub-CRU and other associated information to the operator. The RFID reader device may also request associated information from a server computer.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Technical Field[0002]The present application relates generally to an improved data processing system and method. More specifically, the present application is directed to a radio frequency identifier active / passive tag identifying failed sub-CRU and location within a higher level CRU.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]In some systems, a collection of servers is interconnected into a server system, sharing high-speed fabric topologies, such as in BladeCenter® systems. “BladeCenter” is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both. A BladeCenter® system is a server architecture that houses multiple server modules (“blades”) in a single chassis. Blade servers are widely used in datacenters to save space and improve system management. Either self-standing or rack mounted, the chassis provides the power supply. Each blade may have its own CPU, memory, and hard disk. Blade servers generally provide their ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0024]These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be described in, or will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of, the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Problems solved by technology

Thus, when a blade fails, the failure may be due to a fault on the base blade itself or one of the sub-CRUs.

If an indicator does not light up, then the customer may infer that the blade is faulty.

The battery or super cap, push buttons, and indicators are costly and take up valuable card real estate.

Furthermore, the manual steps for problem determination are time-intensive.

Still further, the manual process is prone to human error, as the operator must determine and locate the failed sub-CRUs.

When an error occurs on the base blade or within one of the sub-CRUs, the embedded processor writes failure information to the RFID.

When a service action is initiated to repair or replace a blade, the blade is removed and power is lost.

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